The National tribune., 1887-04-14
FROM THE GUN DECK.
A Few Observations by One of the "yOuy Tars."

Few Observations by One OF the {" Jolly TArs"
EDITOR NATIONAL TRIBUNE: i have been
reading the experience Of many comrades who
saw service in the different regiments all along
the line. The accounts are very interesting,
but have been looking for some Of the doings
of our Jack Tars," who stood by Uncle Sam
during the dark days of our Nations peril. all
the way by sea from Hampton Roads. in Vir-
ginia, TO the bristling nights Of Vicksbburg
There are many gallant exploits which would
be read with great deal Of interest. i hope
by writing this TO awaken some interest in
this direction, trusting that some comrade will
pick up his quill aud proceed 10 take his
trick" il is pretty well understood that for
"yarns" an old sailor never surrenders.
j shipped on the u. s. s. MOhican in October
1861. Having slowed my hammock in the
MEETINGS, hung my bag containing my "dun-
mage" or clothing on the proper hook on the
berth deck, and near TO the headquarters of
the firemen's mess, having shipped in this de-
partment. In the meastime j scraped ac-
quaintance with the mess cook, Denny Welsh,
a tall son Of the sea, from Boston, believe,
and took a sly look at Jimmy Legs. the Cap
tain of the berth deck. Having got the lay
of the land" on this part Of the ship, i re-
turned 10 the gun or spar deck for in this class
Of ships the spar and the gun deck are one and
the same. Coming up from below found my
self just in front Of ll-inch gun-the forward
pivot-and beauty she was, weighing some
1900 pounds. and glistening upon its ponder
Gus carriage like a mirror. At this period these
guns were about the best in the service, and
were the pride OF our ship
Strolling forward on the port side ran foul
Of Blue Jacket, who seemed to be eyeing me
quite closely, and after exchanging signals with
him j found that he was an old chum. named
Tom Bryant. This discovery was pleasing to
me- for it takes a good while TO pick up ac.
| quaintances in q man-o'-war. After mutual
exchanges with Tom, he informed me that
there were quite number Of boys from Provi.
dence aboard, among whom were A. J. Ken.
dali, Captain Of maintop, believe, and Wm
Shaw. mariner. with whom ] was speedily
made acquainted. The first two mentioned
have, like great many Of the GAR. passed
beyond TO the field OF the Supreme Commander
! The shipmates referred 10 were as glad 20 SEE
me as i was 10 find friends in my new quar-
! tiers.
Leaving them ] passed aft TO the engine
room hatch, TO take a peep al things In thii
| part of the ship. for here j was 10 see servic,
for an indefinite period. All was silent as fal
as the machinery was concerned, but i could
sec that the watch was below, and the Assist
ant Engineer in charge. In fact a steam man
o'-waT in active service seldom draws her fires
but when in port aud awaiting orders, lies
with banked fires, which, on getting undo
way, are quickly. spread. / begin 10 thinl
that IL is about time 10 "dOuse the glim," a
we shall soon hear Jimmy Legs" sing
Lights out" and then keep silence fore an,
aft. hope some account Of what our com
rades saw on sea and stream will shortly ap
pear IN the columns OF THE NATIONAL TRIB
| UHE.-J. L. BLAIsDELI. II. S. S. Mohican ani
Pocahontas, Santa Cruz, Cal.